On April 29, 2022, Toots Thielemans (1922-2016) would have turned 100 years old.
In cooperation with the private Toots Thielemans Foundation, the Netherlands Jazz Archive will release a unique edition of the studio sessions Thielemans recorded with Dutch pianist Rob Franken (1941-1983) between 1973 and 1983. For Thielemans, the collaboration with Franken was essential in his musical development. He himself said: ‘The Dutch pianist Rob Franken is the person who taught me the most. His playing has become the most important part of what they call the typical Toots style.’
Franken and Thielemans recorded many songs over a period of ten years for the Functional Music (Fumu) project. That music was intended as background music in public spaces but in reality turns out to be full-blown jazz. The repertoire consists of jazz standards, pop pieces, Amerikana and their own compositions. The last completed work by Rob Franken, in which Toots Thielemans plays a solo role, is issued as bonus material.
In the previously unreleased selection of 59 pieces on a 3-CD set, one can hear an interesting development of playing by one of the most important jazz musicians in the world, who was influenced by the Dutch pioneer on electric piano who is unjustly almost forgotten. An essential tribute that is now available for the future and will continue to inspire new generations.